A Safe Place for You – Today’s Family Devotion

A Safe Place for You

Bible Reading: Psalm 46:1-7

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1

Chelsea knew she was in for a tough time when she moved from Alabama to Montana. Sure enough, as the one girl in her school with a Southern twang, she was treated like a new toy for a couple of days-and then tossed aside when people went back to their old friends.

Two months after moving to her new home, she’s sitting alone. Her eyes some­times look angry, but most of the time she just looks sad.

Know it or not, all around you are people drowning in disappointment or the really deep dumps called “depression.” They feel lonely, even afraid. They can be family members. Friends. Classmates. Older people. Christians. Non-Christians.

Talk about it: Who do you know who needs a friend who “is always loyal, . . . born to help in time of need” (Proverbs 17:17)? Why do those folks need a friend right now?

If you want to be a friend “born to help in time of need,” you start by being one thing: available.

So what exactly does it mean to be an available friend? Vote on which of the following phrases tell you someone is there when you need them:

(a) “You got yourself into this mess. Now you need to figure a way out.”

(b) “I’m really concerned about you. What’s going on?” (e) “Here’s a quarter. Call someone who cares.”

(d) “I’m going to be here for you, no matter what.”

Here’s the truth: Being available means you are interested enough in people to take time to listen to them and actually care about what happens in their world.

Jesus is the ultimate example of an ever present friend, and you see his absolute availability best when he helps hurting people. The woman Jesus spoke to at the well in John 4 was a total outcast. The woman caught in sin in John 8 was a nobody to everyone else, but Jesus was available to care for her. Lepers were despised by so­ciety, but in Luke 17 Jesus was available to heal ten of them.

God will always be there for you. He will never fail you. And when he shows you that kind of friendship, he makes you able to be that kind of friend to others too.

TALK: How does it make you feel to know that the God of the universe is available to you when you need him?

PRAY: Thanks, God, for always being available to us. ACT: Ask God to show you where and how to be an available friend this week.